What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-3738?

CVE-2018-3738 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 1.0%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2018-3738?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2018-3738. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 1.0%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2018-3738?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2018-3738. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Protobufjs CVE-2018-3738

MEDIUM

Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling (CWE-770)

2018-06-07 support@hackerone.com

Denial Of Service Protobufjs Protobufjs Project

5.5

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-770 OWASP Top 10:2025 A06:2025 - Insecure Design ASVS 5.0 V2 - Validation and Business Logic Resource allocation limits MITRE ATT&CK 1 technique across 1 tactic: Impact The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A local attacker with access to the system could exhaust system resources through uncontrolled allocation. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).

Patch available 1.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

protobufjs is vulnerable to ReDoS when parsing crafted invalid .proto files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Set resource limits, implement rate limiting, validate input sizes.

Affected Packages

npm protobufjs fix: 5.0.3, 6.8.6

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in npm

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Allocation of Resources Without Limits (CWE-770), which allows attackers to exhaust system resources through uncontrolled allocation. protobufjs is vulnerable to ReDoS when parsing crafted invalid .proto files. Affected products include: Protobufjs Project Protobufjs.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 5.5 MEDIUM

AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

DescriptionNVD

protobufjs is vulnerable to ReDoS when parsing crafted invalid .proto files.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

1.0%

Top 43% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

2 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity MEDIUM

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 1.0%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.